Friday, 19 February 2016

Philippine Airlines selects the A350 XWB for future long haul fleet

Unrivalled efficiency and superior comfort for flights to the US and Europe

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Airbus for the order of six A350-900s, with another six purchase options. The news was announced today at the Singapore Airshow by Jaime J. Bautista, President & COO of Philippine Airlines and Fabrice Brégier, President & CEO of Airbus.

Philippine Airlines will configure its A350-900s with a premium three class layout and will operate the aircraft on non-stop flights from Manila to the US west coast and New York, as well as on services to new destinations in Europe. The aircraft will enable the carrier to operate non-stop service on the 8,000 nautical mile New York – Manila route all year round with a full passenger load.

“After a thorough commercial and technical evaluation, the A350 came out on top in meeting our demanding requirements,” said Jaime J. Bautista, President & COO of Philippine Airlines. “With the A350 we will be flying the world‘s most modern airliner, bringing greatly enhanced efficiency and superior passenger comfort. The A350’s range capability has been an important factor in our decision, enabling us to offer non-stop service on all our premium long haul routes.”

“We are pleased to welcome Philippine Airlines as the latest airline to select the all-new A350 XWB,” said Fabrice Brégier Airbus President & CEO. “The A350 XWB has set new standards, combining extra-long range capability with the lowest operating costs of any aircraft in the larger twin aisle category. Passengers flying with Philippine Airlines can look forward to the new levels of comfort offered by the aircraft, with a wider and quieter cabin, and more personal space for all.”

The A350 XWB is world’s latest generation airliner and the newest member of the Airbus widebody family. Featuring the most modern aerodynamic design, carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, the A350 XWB brings a 25 percent reduction in fuel burn and emissions, and significantly lower maintenance costs. For passengers the extra-wide cabin offers more personal space in all classes, including 18-inch wide seats as standard in economy class.

To date, Airbus has recorded 777 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 41 customers worldwide, already making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft ever.

Tuesday, 16 February 2016

Airbus strengthens leadership position in Asia-Pacific region

Airbus strengthened further its market leading position in Asia-Pacific in 2015, winning 421 net orders from 17 airlines and lessors in the region during the year. This represented 39 per cent of the company’s net order intake in 2015 for 1,080 aircraft.

In addition, the manufacturer delivered 282 new aircraft to 40 operators across the region over the twelve month period, either directly or via leasing companies. This was 44 per cent of the company’s total output of 635 aircraft during the year, reflecting the importance of the region to the manufacturer.

The regional results were announced today by Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO and John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer, Customers on the opening of the Singapore Air Show.

“The Asia-Pacific region has traditionally been one of our strongest markets,” said Fabrice Brégier. “In recent years we have consolidated our position with our complete range of modern and efficient products. We expect this trend to continue in the coming years, especially in the widebody market where the A350 XWB is setting new standards in the 300 - 400 seat category.”

Looking to the future, Airbus expects the Asia-Pacific region to continue to lead demand for new aircraft over the next 20 year period.

Presenting the company’s latest forecast for the region, John Leahy said that an annual increase in passenger traffic of 5.6% would contribute to a requirement for some 12,800 new aircraft valued at USD 2 trillion. This represents 40% of global demand for 32,600 aircraft over the next 20 years, and includes almost half of all widebody deliveries worldwide and over a third of all single aisle aircraft.

“Asia-Pacific will continue to experience stronger growth than any other world region as more people fly more often,” said John Leahy. “Airbus will be especially well placed to respond to this demand in every size category. From 100 to over 500 seats, and for everything from short regional flights to the world’s longest commercial services, we have the right products to meet the needs of airlines in this fast-growing market.”

Over the past 10 years Airbus has recorded the leading share of sales in the Asia-Pacific region in both the single aisle and widebody markets. This has seen the A320 Family account for 64 per cent of net orders in the single aisle category, while the Airbus widebody aircraft, the A330, A350 XWB and A380 have together won 56 per cent of orders during this timeframe.

The complete Airbus product line comprises the best-selling A320 Family in the single aisle market, the popular A330 and all-new A350 XWB in the mid-size widebody category and the flagship A380 in the very large aircraft segment. In the freight market Airbus currently offers the new-build A330-200F and the A330 Passenger-to-Freighter (A330P2F) programme.

Lufthansa, Airbus and Pratt & Whitney holding a delivery ceremony in Hamburg – First scheduled A320neo flights with better fuel efficiency and more passenger comfort achieved through quieter engines - 40 years of partnership between Lufthansa and Airbus

Lufthansa, together with Airbus and the Pratt & Whitney engine manufacturer, celebrates the delivery of the world’s first Airbus A320neo. Carsten Spohr, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Lufthansa Group, Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Brégier and the President of Pratt & Whitney Robert Leduc invited 700 guests and media representatives to the official delivery at Hamburg-Finkenwerder. Following the ceremonial handover, the first two new-type airplanes were presented to the public. The first A320neo, with the registration D-AINA, has already flown scheduled service since January. The second “neo” is expected to complement the Lufthansa Airbus fleet soon. The first experiences with the A320neo clearly show that the 15 percent lower fuel consumption mark has not only been achieved but even slightly exceeded. The significantly quieter engines also increase customer comfort on-board and provide relief to residents near airports by reducing noise emissions.

The development and introduction of the quietest and most fuel-efficient aircraft on short and medium distances is further evidence of the successful cooperation in the aviation industry at European level. “Europe has been a leader in this fascinating industry since the early days of aviation,” says Carsten Spohr. “Lufthansa and Airbus have developed a trusting and productive 40-year partnership. Together we have pushed ahead and brought to market many innovations and contributed to the success of the European aerospace industry. With new and efficient aircraft, such as the A320neo and the A350 XWB, we set new standards for our passengers, while reducing the impact on the environment and, not least of all, on the people living near airports.”

“On behalf of everyone at Airbus, I congratulate Lufthansa on being the A320neo launch customer. Together, we’re opening a new chapter in commercial aviation and I am confident that the A320neo will support Lufthansa objective to raise its environmental performance. The A320neo not only cuts emissions at every operational stage but also halves its noise footprint compared to previous generation aircraft,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO.

“At Airbus we are have been proud to support Lufthansa’s growth over the past four decades with our partnership now spanning almost the entire Airbus family, from the A320 right up to the A380.”

"Pratt & Whitney is proud to build on its long and deep history with Lufthansa and Airbus by together marking a new era in commercial aviation with the delivery of the A320neo equipped with ultra-high bypass ratio Geared Turbofan engines," Pratt & Whitney President Robert Leduc, said. “We applaud Lufthansa for being the first to enjoy the many benefits this aircraft and engine technology affords in terms of fuel efficiency and in reducing noise and emissions.”

This afternoon, the A320neo will take off from the Airbus facilities in Hamburg-Finkenwerder as a special flight with flight number LH9917 with guests and media representatives on board and fly with a short stop in Hamburg’s City Airport Fuhlsbüttel towards Frankfurt. The A320neo was fitted with a special logo. “First to fly A320neo - Less noise. Less fuel. Less CO2“ adorns the rear fuselage of the Lufthansa aircraft.

Another cause for celebration is the 40-year partnership between Lufthansa and Airbus. On 9 February 1976, Lufthansa received the first Airbus A300 at Hamburg-Finkenwerder. The airlines within the Lufthansa Group have ordered a total of 582 Airbus aircraft in the past 40 years. Lufthansa is the largest Airbus customer with currently 392 aircraft from the European manufacturer, including 284 aircraft from the A320 family and 14 A380.

The Lufthansa Group has ordered a total of 116 A320neos and A321neos, to be delivered in the next years. 60 aircraft will be delivered with the new PW1100G-JM engine from Pratt & Whitney. A special intermediary 3:1 gear conversion system ensures optimum speed of the 2.06 meter-cross-section fans and the turbine inside the engine. The new engines and improved aerodynamics allow a significant noise and emission reduction. With the new engine technology, the 85-decibel noise footprint of a new A320neo is only about half the size as a comparable aircraft of the existing fleet. In addition, the A320neo is at least 15 percent more fuel efficient than the previous A320 version. Calculated per-seat, this efficiency advantage increases to as much as around 20 percent, because the A320neo, through improved use of space in the cabin, allows more space in the business class compartment and two more rows with twelve additional seats on board.

A321neo takes to the sky for the first time

Largest of Airbus’ best-selling single aisle with new engine option starts flight tests

The first A321neo equipped with CFM International LEAP-1A engines completed its maiden flight on February 9th from Hamburg, Germany. The aircraft, registration D-AVXB, was flown by Experimental Test Pilots Martin Scheuermann and Bernardo Saez Benito Hernandez. Accompanying them in the cockpit was Test-Flight Engineer Gérard Leskerpit and monitoring the flight’s progress were Flight-Test Engineers Sandra Bour Schaeffer and Emiliano Requena Esteban.

The flight lasted five hours and 29 minutes during which tests were performed on the engine speed variation (low/high), systems behaviour and to validate the aircraft’s flight envelope. The A321neo will join the NEO flight test fleet and perform a partial flight test programme to validate the impact on handling qualities, performance and systems. The first A321neo will be delivered at the end of 2016.

The A321neo is the largest member of the A320neo Family and incorporates many innovations including latest generation engines, Sharklet wing tip devices and cabin improvements, which together will deliver up to 20 percent in fuel savings by 2020. The A320neo flight test campaign has accumulated some 1,900 flight hours in over 640 flights since the first flight on 25th September 2014.

A positive kick-off for Airbus in 2016

Airbus got off to a good start in 2016, in particular for its best-selling wide body family with 16 aircraft orders booked in January, comprising 14 all new A330-900neo’s from an undisclosed customer and two A320ceo’s from fast growing Hong Kong based lessor, CALC (China Aircraft Leasing Company).

The main highlight of Airbus’ deliveries in January 2016 was the very first A320neo that went to Lufthansa, the launch customer of the world’s best-selling and most fuel efficient single-aisle aircraft. Including the first A320neo, Airbus handed over a total of 22 aircraft in January to 18 customers, comprising 17 A320 Family, 4 A330s and one A380.

As a result of the fulfilment of conditions precedent occurring in January 2016, Airbus can now include an additional net 44 aircraft within the Year End 2015 Order Book, leading to an adjustment of the 2015 Full Year commercial results announced in early January. This increases Airbus’ 2015 total gross orders to 1,190 (valued at 159.9 billion US$) and total net orders to 1,080 (valued at 141.6 billion US$). Airbus 2015 end of year backlog stands at 6,831 valued at 1,000.9 billion US dollars at 2015 list prices.

Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is the leading commercial aircraft manufacturer with the most modern, comprehensive and efficient family of airliners, ranging in capacity from 100 to more than 500 seats. Employing some 55,000 people, Airbus champions innovative technologies and has sold over 16,300 aircraft to around 400 customers worldwide. Airbus has design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain, as well as subsidiaries in the US, China, Japan, India and in the Middle East. In addition, it provides the highest standard of customer support and training through an expanding international network.

Singapore Airlines’ first A350 XWB takes to the sky

The first A350-900 for Singapore Airlines yesterday completed its maiden flight over the skies of South West France. The aircraft, featuring the airline’s iconic livery, will now enter the final phase of production, including further ground checks and test flights, before being prepared for delivery in the coming weeks.

The all-new A350 XWB will form the backbone of Singapore Airlines’ future mid-size widebody fleet. Altogether the airline has ordered 67 A350-900s which will be operated on long range flights, as well as on selected regional services. Seven of the aircraft will be delivered with an ultra-long range capability for flights of up to 19 hours, allowing the carrier to resume non-stop flights to the US.

The A350 XWB is the world’s latest generation airliner and the newest member of Airbus’ modern, comfortable & efficient widebody product family. It features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fiber fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn and emissions, and significantly lower maintenance costs.

To date, Airbus has recorded a total of 777 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 41 customers worldwide, already making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft ever.

Tuesday, 2 February 2016

Comlux orders three Airbus ACJ320neo aircraft

Becomes largest customer for new corporate jet family

Comlux The Aviation Group has announced a firm order for three Airbus ACJ320neo aircraft, becoming the largest customer for Airbus’ new corporate jet family. The order also consolidates Comlux’s leadership in Airbus corporate jet deals, with more to its credit than any other client.

Deliveries of the aircraft begin at the end of 2018. Comlux has chosen CFM International LEAP-1A engines to power the aircraft. Cabin outfitting will be by Comlux America, in Indianapolis, the first independent authorised Airbus corporate jet service centre.

“Comlux is proud to add to its order book the ACJ320neo which, with its new CFMI engines, Sharklets and increased fuel-capacity, brings the extra range that our VVIP clients seek - without compromising on baggage space,” says Comlux Group President and CEO Richard Gaona. “With its completion facilities in America, Comlux is well placed to offer its customers unique cabin solutions.”

“Comlux’s long-established and wide-range of activities - including aircraft management, VVIP charter, and cabin outfitting and services - means that it was well placed to evaluate the new Airbus ACJ320neo Family before making it an important part of its fleet,” declares Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers John Leahy.

Comlux has ordered corporate jet versions of all of the ACJ320 Family, and was the first to operate the Airbus ACJ318 and ACJ321.

Airbus’ ACJneo Family combines new fuel-saving engines, wingtip-mounted Sharklets and other improvements to give customers better fuel efficiency, greater range and a more modern product in which to invest – as well as the widest and tallest business-jet cabin in the sky.

The Airbus ACJ320neo can fly 25 passengers over 6,000 nm/11,100 km or 13 hours, while the ACJ319neo can transport 8 passengers over 6,750 nm/12,500 km or 15 hours.